Hows this stone look?

Mon Mar 18, 2013 9:53 pm

So put my first knife to my new Bester 1200. Stone feels good to this rookie, but wasn't sure about the dark spots. I know there is a little staining, and I put a couple scratches in it, but it looks like it has some high spots. Do I need to hit new stones with a flattening plate? Any thoughts on what's left behind? I did soak for 5-7 minutes. I used a cheap kitchenaid ss santoku on this for practice.

Re: Hows this stone look?

Tue Mar 19, 2013 12:16 am

yes it looks like it needs flattening. draw a hatch pattern along the stone and a diagonal crossing lines along the whole length of the stone with a pencil.

you need to learn to use all areas of the stones in order to lessen the need for flattening. you can use the corners and edges of the stone to keep the stone generally flat. but of course even if you do this, you can't keep from needing to flatten it eventually.

Re: Hows this stone look?

Tue Mar 19, 2013 7:27 am

The shorter strokes were from having not built a bridge yet and being limited by the faucet and edge of the sink...I was in a hurry and wanted to throw a blade on their. The gouges were from the tip of the knife. I was having to focus on not lifting up my hand that had the handle it as I finished a stroke. Going to put the stones away until I get a diamond plate and get a bridge built.

Re: Hows this stone look?

Tue Mar 19, 2013 1:36 pm

The diamond plates are back in stock!! http://www.chefknivestogo.com/140grdistflp.html I waited for weeks for mine and LOVE it!! I drew the cross hatching and was shocked at how uneven my stones were. It cuts quickly and made the following sharpening much better.